Mantha's Career Year Boosts Penguins Playoff Push

0:00It's April 1st, I'm Cory with the story. This is NHL News Today, driven by AI and Built for Fans. Pittsburgh Penguins took a smart low-risk swing, signing Anthony Manta, to a 1-year 2.5 million dollar deal last off-season. Now as we're near the end of the 2025-26 season, that bet is paying off huge. Through 75 games, the guys got 30 goals and 58 points. On pace for career highs while clicking in the top 6 with stars like. Vinnie Crosby and Evgeny Malcolm, what makes this pop is how he's owning his role. As 6-5 and over 230 pounds, Manta's bullying his way to the net, winning puck battles and finishing chances his linemates create. He's also locked in on the first power play unit, screening goalies and grabbing rebounds to make Pittsburgh's man advantage way more dangerous and balanced. Fans and analysts are buzzing because Manta's filled a big gap in secondary scoring, something the penguins have struggled with for years.

1:01His production spreads out defenses, giving Crosby and Malcolm more room, and his physical edge makes the team tougher in those grinded-out games. Heading into the playoffs. Coach Dan Mew simplified everything for him. No forcing plays, just gets his scoring spots and cash in. That setup has cut down his old inconsistency issues, turning flashes of brilliance into steady output. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference playoff race stays tight, and Manta's driving Pittsburgh's push to stay in it. Looking ahead, this career year at age 31 sets Manta up for a fat raise, maybe 6 million a year or more as a free agent. Penguins face a cap crunch with their core locked in, but losing him would hurt bad. They've got to decide if they match offers to keep this top 6. Get locked down.